Can-soldering machine



No. 6l9,68l. Patented Feb. l4, I899. E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.\

6. Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

mz- Nonms PETERS 00.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINUTUN, u. c.

No. 6|9,68I. Patented Feb. 14, I899.

' E. F. DURSEY.

CAN SOLDERING MACHINE.

(Applicatiun filed June 10, 1898.\ v (No Model.) 6 Sheet s.$heet 2.

W ghzewesx Z ZZQ 17101;

THE Nonms PErzRs 00., Pucroumuu WASHINGTON. n. cy

Patented Feb. 14, I899;

E. r. nunsev. CAN SOLDEBING MAGHINE.

(Application filed June -10, 1898 6 She etsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

MM T l 1..

No. 6I9,68l. Patented Feb. l4, I899.

E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.\ (No. Model.) 6 Sheets Sheet 4.

F f 55 W Ii l 527 73 I afiw I "92 F zf/ 07 22 195 THE norms wrrzns co.FKOYO-LITNO-, WASHINGTON. a. c.

N0. 6|9,68 Pate nted Feb; l4, I899.

E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDERING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898. I (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

No. s|9,sa|. v Patehted Feb. |4',1s99. E. F. nonssv.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.! (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 8 NITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER F. DORSEY, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.

CAN-SOLDERING MACH INE.

SFEGIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,681, dated February14, 1899. Application filed June 10, 1898. Serial No. 683,076. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER F. DORSEY, of Kansas City, -Wyandotte county,Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCan-Soldering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic can-soldering machines; and my objectis to produce a machine of this character embodying a can-receivin g boxand instrumentalities for soldering the can therein while under avacuum, this function taking place with great rapidity considering thenature of the work in hand.

With this general object in view the invention consists in certain noveland peculiar features of construction and combinations of parts, as willbe hereinafter described and reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which-- Figure 1 represents a top plan view, with certain parts omitted,of a can-soldering machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the same, partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of the machine with certain duplicate parts omitted. Fig. 4 isa vertical section taken on the line IV IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sideview of one of the can-receiving boxes and the mechanism for feeding andcutting and depositing the solder at the proper point on the can and thesoldering-iron for fusing the same and hermetically sealing the can.Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a plate closing an opening in one end ofthe box. Fig. '7 is a vertical section of said box, taken on the lineVII VII of Fig. 5. Fig. Sis a sectional View of the box to illustrateclearly the solder-cutting mechanism. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of oneof the combined air and vacuum valves. Fig. 10 is a top plan View of thesame. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. '12 is ahorizontal section of the same. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of thecam-carrying bar for .successively actuating the solder cutting,

feeding, and fusing mechanism. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of aportion of one of the ca-n-receivin g boxes to illustrate-more clearlythe construction of the spring for opening the door and the relationbetween said spring and the box and door.

In the said drawings, 1 designates the base of the machine. It is ofconical form and hollow and externally is provided by preference withthree sockets 2, in which are suitably erected the posts or standards 3.

4 designates a triangular tie-frame which is mounted upon and connectsthe upper ends of the standards 3.

5 designates a vertical shaft, which is journaled in the frame 4 and inthe neck portion of the hollow base 1, and said shaft for a suitabledistance from its lower end is provided with a vertical passage 6,registering with a vertical passage 7, which opens into the interior ofthe hollow base, and vertically below said passage the base is providedwith an opening 8 to receive the pipe (not shown) adapted for connectionwith a suction-pump or its equivalent for creating a vacuum in saidbase. The connection between the shaft 5 and the base portion, in whichit has a bearing at its lower end, is made air-tight by the employmentof a stuffing-box 9.

1O designates a pair of bearing-standards mounted upon the tie-frame 4,and 11 a short shaft journaled therein and provided at its inner endwith a gear-pinion 12, meshing with a gear-wheel 13, mounted upon theshaft 5.

14 designates a large gear-wheel on the opposite end of the shaft 11 andmeshing with a gear-pinion 15 upon a parallel shaft 16, also journaledin bearing-standards 17, projecting from said frame, and said shaft isprovided at its outer end with fast and loose pulleys 18 19.

20 designates a disk, of marble or other material which is anon-conductor of electricity, mounted rigidly upon the upper end of theshaft 5, and said disk is provided with two concentric contact-rings 2122.

23 designates a standard projecting upwardly from the frame 4, and 24 anarm thereof, upon which is mounted a sleeve 25, of hard rubber or otherinsulting material, and mounted upon said sleeve are a pair of clamps26, provided with contact-brushes 27 and 27 which respectively engagethe contact-rings 21 and 22 and are in electrical connection with wires28 28, forming part of an electric circuit.

29 designates a circular table, which is secured upon the shaft 5 at asuitable distance above the base 1, and in order to make the jointbetween said table and shaft perfect the stuiiing-boxes 30 31 atopposite sides of the table are employed. At a point preferably to belowthe table, as shown, its hub is provided with radial passages 32,innumbereorresponding to the boxes employed, as hereinbefore specified,and said passages communicate or register with the radial passages orholes 33, :5 opening into the upper end of the passage or channel 6 ofthe shaft, (see Fig. 4,) and 34 designates radially-extending pipeswhich .are carried by said tubular hub and register with said passages.The table is provided, 20 preferably at equal distances apart, in thisinstance with six apertures 35, and secured vertically upon said tableand over said apertures are a corresponding number of boxes 36, saidboxes being of suitable form and proportion to each receive a can A,having a perforation in the center of its upper end or head in thecustomary manner. The box is also provided below said can with thepassage 37, which registers with the aperture 35 below, in order thatthe extraction of the air from the hollow base will synchronously createa vacuum in the boxes, which are described in the singular, as they areall precisely of the same construction.

The box is provided with an upwardly-projecting and communicating neckportion 38, having in one side an opening 39 to give access to itsinterior for any purpose and closed ordinarily by the removable plate40, a packing-strip 41, of rubber or equivalent material, being disposedbetween the box and the plate in order that a perfectly air-tight jointmay be made. The lower end of the plate 40 fits upon the box and is heldin place at this end by means of the plate 42, secured to the box. Theupper end of the plate is provided with one or more notches 43, throughwhich project threaded pins 44, carried by the box for engagement by thenuts 45, whereby the plate is clamped firmly and reliably in position.

46 designates a cover-plate bolted upon the upper end of the box andprovided with a cylindrical hub portion 47, in which is journaled thevertical sleeve 48, said sleeve overlapping the upper end of the hub 47to prevent any downward slippage. The bearingsleeve projects downwardsome distance into the neck 38 of the box and is provided a suitabledistance from its lower end with the verti- 60 cal slots 49 and carriesatits extreme lowerend the collar or nut 50. The joint between the huband the sleeve, which I shall hereinafter term the oscillatory sleeve,is made air-tight by means of the stuffing-box 51, and said sleeve atits enlarged or upper end is provided with the outwardly and inwardlyprojecting pins 52 and 53 for a purpose which will be pres entlyexplained.

54 designates a stuffin g-box,which is mounted in the upper end of saidsleeve in order to provide a perfectly air-tight joint between thelatter and the sliding shaft, consisting of two sections, the uppersection 55 and the lower section 55. The former is provided with afeather 56, mounted in the inverted- U-shaped bracket or frame 57,bolted upon the top plate or cover 46 in order that it may movevertically but not rotatably. The latter partakes of the verticalmovement of the former and also of the rotatable or oscillatory movementof the sleeve 48, and in order to obtain this oscillatory movement it isprovided with a pin 58, which projects through the vertical slots 49 ofthe sleeve, and consequently compels the lower section of the shaft tooscillate with each oscillation of said sleeve. Each depression ordownward movement of the shaft is accompanied by a like movement on thepart of the lower section, because it normally rests upon the latter,and in order to ree'levate said shaft when the overcoming pressure isremoved a spiral expansion-spring 59, encircling the lower portion ofthe sleeve 48, bears at its lower end against the collar or nut 50 ofsaid sleeve and at its upper end against the washer 60 at the under sideof the pin 58. The lower section of the shaft is provided with asoldering-iron or copper 61 of a well-known type, provided with thesoldering-point 62, said copper being electrically connected by means ofthe insulated cable-wires 62 63, extending through the hole 64 in theback of the box (so that air cannot enter or leave the box at thispoint) into the passage 5, drilled in the upper end of the shaft 5. Thecables then extend upward through said passage and are electricallyconnected to the contact-rings 22 and 21, respectively. In order thatthe copper may be depressed at the proper time, the non-oscillatorysection of the shaft is surmounted by a bifurcated nut 65, wherein isjournaled an antifriction-roller 66, the latter being adapted to rollwith a minimum of friction across the face of a cam, to behereinafterdescribed, which depresses the copper to operative position.

The neck 38 of the box is provided with an opening opposite the opening39, closed by means of a plate 67, and screwed into said plate at aproper point is a tubular guideplug 68 for the thread of solder B, theinner end of said plug being vertically above the flaring mouth of thepassage 69 of the rockframe 70, provided with a curved tubular arm 70,having its lower or discharge end normally vertically over andregistering with the can-hole to be closed. Said rock-frame is journaledin the plate 67, as shown at 71, and is provided with an arm 72,arranged ICS externally of'the box, and said arm is pivotally connectedto the lower end of the reciprocatory rod 73, provided with a bifur-'cated nut 74 at its upper end and an antifriction-roller 7 5,j ournaledtherein. Said rod extends through a guide-lug 76, projecting from plate67, and also through a plate 77, and secured upon the shaft between thelug and the plate is a collar 7 7 a and a spiral expansion-spring 78,the latter bearing at its opposite ends against the plate and thecollar, so as to hold the latter normally up against the under side oflug 76. The nut 79 upon said rod, above the lug 76, is adapted to limitthe downward movement of said rod, and consequently the movement of theguide-tube 7 0, which in its normal position, as shown at Fig. 7,receives and deposits the solder over the hole in the can and then bythe depression of rod 73, by means of a cam to be hereinafter described,swings laterally out of the path of descent of the copper, which thendescends and, fusing the solder, hermetically closes the hole in the topof the can.

80 designates a bracket projecting horizontally from the lower end ofthe plate 67, and 81 a U-shaped bracket carried thereby and adapted tobe adjusted vertically by a setscrew 82, said bracket 81 havingjournaled therein the lower feed-roller 83, which is peripherallygrooved in order that the thread B of solder may be guided properlyinto'the plug 68, hereinbefore described. A companion roller 83, whichengages the upper side of the solder thread, is provided at one sidewith or carries a ratchet-wheel 84, and said wheels are journaled uponthe shaft 85, journaled in turn in brackets 86, secured to the plate 67.Said wheels are operated with a step-by-step motion in order that apiece of solder of the same length may be cut from the thread 13, as

will be hereinafter explained, this step-bystep movement beingaccomplished by the following mechanism:

87 designates an arm mounted upon shaft 85, and 88 a sliding dog mountedin said arm and pressed continually against the ratchetwheel 84 by meansof the spring 89, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. Said shaft is provided atone end with an inwardly-projecting arm 90, the inner end of which ispivoted to the lower end of the bifurcated rod 91, said rod being guidedthrough the lug 92 of plate 67 and also through the bracket 93,projecting from said plate below said lug. Said rod is provided with acollar 94, which is normally held up against the lug 92 by the pressureof the spiral spring 95, encircling said rod and bearing at its lowerend against the bracket 93. Said rod is adapted to be periodicallydepressed in a manner to be presently explained and is provided with anut 96 above lug 92 to limit its downward movement, and at its upper endit is provided with a horizontal arm 97.

Extending vertically through the boss 46 of the top plate 46 of theboxand also through the stuffing-box 98, carried thereby, and aguide-lug 99, projecting laterally from the bracket or frame 57, is areciprocatory rod 100, and mounted upon said rod just below the lug 99is one or more adjusting-nuts 101, which are held with a yieldingpressure against the under side of said lug by means of a spring 102,spirally encircling the rod and bearing at its lower end against saidstuffing-box. The upper end of the rod is provided with a bifurcated nut103, carrying an antifriction-roller 104, said roller being heldnormally in the same horizontal plane as the rollers 66 and 75; but saidrollers travel in different concentric paths for a purpose which willhereinafter appear.

' 105 designates a plate which projects inwardly of the box from-plate67. 106 designates a sliding plate mounted therein and adapted toreciprocate vertically, said plate being held in position by acap-plate, 107, screwed or otherwise secured to plate 105. The slidingplate is armed at its lower end with a knife 108, which plays back andforth across the inner end of plug 68 and is adapted to sever with eachdepression a piece of solder from the thread B, and said piece of solderfalls into the flaring mouth in the opening 69 and is conveyed bythetube to the hole in the top of the can, as hereinafter explained.

109 designates a lever, which is fulcrumed at one end upon the boss 110,projecting inwardly from the side of the box, and is ,pivotallyconnected at its opposite end to the lower end of rod 100'and at itsmiddle to the upper end of the sliding plate 106. (See Fig. 8.) By thisarrangement it is obvious that the descent of rod 100 simultaneouslycauses the operation of the knife and the severance of a piece of solderand throws dogcarrying arm 87 back to its initial position, with the dog88 in engagement with ratchetwheel 84. The relevation of the rod by itsspring-102 restores the knife to its initial or elevated positionandfeeds the solder forward one step by the operation of the arm 87.

The thread B, of solder, runs from a reel or spool 111, which isrotatably mounted on a shaft 112,mounted in the upper end of thestandard 113, bolted or otherwise secured to the table 29, and owing tothe fact that the length of the shaft 112 exceeds the width of the reelthe latter is caused to automatically slide from side to side as itunwinds in order that the solder may extend as'nearly as possiblewithout bending from the reel to the feed-rollers 83 83, the latterbeingguided at an intermediate point between the antifriction-rollers 114, journaled upon pins 115, projecting from an arm 116 of standard 113.

To cause the operation of the solder feeding and cutting mechanism, themechanism for swinging the guide-tube to operative position, and themechanism for fusing the solder deposited over the hole of the can inthe order named, I provide the following construction: 117 designatesacross-bar secured a horizontal rib 119, having depending cams 120, 121,and 122 arranged in the same concentric paths as the rollers 104, 75,and 66, respectively, and depending from the rear end (with respect tothe direction of rotation) of the cam 112 is an arm 123,Which is adaptedby contact with the rod or pin 53 to oscillate the sleeve 48 shortlyafter the same has been oscillated in the opposite direction by thepreceding contact of pin 52 with the arm 124, projecting inwardly fromone of the standards 3, upon which the bar 117 is mounted. Preliminaryto the operation just described, however, the l1inge-door 125, formingpractically the entire front side of the main portion of the box, isclosed by the frictional engagement of the spring-arm 127 with theantifriction roller 129 of sleeve 128, clamped or otherwise secured uponthe same standard 3 that carries the arm 124, said door being adapted toform an air-tight joint with the box, the arm 127 being of the yieldingtype in order that the doors 125 may be tightly closed as they pass theroller 129 in rapid succession. The roller 129 occupies a relativelyimmovable position inthe path of said spring-arms and is successivelyengaged by said arms 127. This engagement causes the doors to swing totheir closed positions, and at the moment each door is closed itsrespective box reaches its point of travel nearest said roller, and thelatter in consequence applies its greatest pressure upon thespringarn1,and therefore effects a perfect closure of the box. Each dooris normally held open by a spring 126, which is bent to approximately Uform at its middle and at the opposite sides of the same into a seriesof coils or convolutions, through which extends the hinge-rod 36,carried by lugs 36 projecting from the box. The door 125 is providedwith ears or lugs 125, pivoted upon said rod, and with a pair of loops125 through which project the ends of the spring. The hinge-coils orconvolutions of said spring are numbered 126 and the ends or armsprojecting through loops 125 are numbered 126, and owing to the tendencyof said ends or arms to spring or move outward while the middle of thespring presses firmly against the box the door 125 is swung open at theinstant the vacuum in the box is destroyed, as hereinbefore explained.

Mounted upon the base 1, a suitable distance below the table 29, is acircular plate 130, provided at its upper side with a segmental track131, which is struck from the same axis as the segmental cam 122, andconsequently is vertically below the apertures 35 in the table 29, asshown clearly in Fig. 2, said track tapering to a point, preferably ateach end, and having its front end (with respect to the direction ofrotation, as indicated in Fig. 2) in the same radial plane as thedoor-closin g roller 129 in order that a vacuum may be created orestablished in the box at the instant its door is closed. The relativefor what I term the air-valve 149.

positions of these parts are illustrated in Fig. 2. The instrumentalityfor making possible the creation of a vacuum in the box at this time isin the form of a combined vacuum and air valve and is constructed asfollows: 132 designates a tubular casing,which is bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the under side of the table 29 under an opening 35and is provided in its upper end with a chamber 133, partitionedhorizontally by the perforated plate or diaphragm 134,and formed belowthe same with a valve-seat 135. Be low said valve-seat it is providedwith a tubular arm 136,within which is secured the outer end of one ofthe radial pipes 34, (see Fig. 4,) and mounted at the lower end of saidcasing is a stuffing-box 137.

138 designates a vertical rod or stem extending up through thestuffing-box and casing and provided with a valve 139 at its upper endand with an antifriction-roller 140 at its lower end, the latter beingadapted to ride upon the track 131 in a manner hereinafter explained.Said roller is mounted in a bifurcated nut 141 upon said rod, and abovesaid nut and upon said rod is an adjustable collar or nut 142, which isadapted to tension the spring 143, spirally encircling said rod andhearing at its opposite ends against collar-142 and stuifing-box 137,and consequently holding the valve 139 down upon its seat with ayielding pressure, except at such time as the roller 140 is riding uponthe track 131. The rod is confined to a vertical movement only by meansof a pin 144, projecting into the vertical groove 145 of the casing. Therod or stem is provided with a central passage 146, communicating at itslower end with a hole 147, below the stuffing-box, and flared at itsupper end, so as to provide the seat 148 Said valve is provided with adepending skeleton stem 150, which fits slidingly in the passage 146 ofthe vacuum-valve stem, so as to not interfere with the free passage ofair therethrough when the valve is unseated, as shown in Fig. 11. Saidvalve is also provided with a stem 151, which projects upward throughthe perforated guide-plate 134. The tendency of a spiral spring 152,encircling the rod and bearing at its opposite ends against plate 134and valve 149, is to hold the valve upon its seat; but this tendency isdefeated by the employment of one or more nuts 153 upon said stem at theupper side of the plate 134, said nut or nuts being adjusted so as tohold the valve a slight distance above its seat at such time as thevacuum -valve is seated. The elevation of the vacuum-valve by the trackcauses the valve 149 to be seated, the spring 152 holding the same insuch perfect contact with the vacuum-valve that it is impossible for airto enter the casing through the passage 146. It is obvious in case therelative adjustment of the parts is not perfeet that the spring 152 willpermit valve 149 to be raised slightly by the elevation of thevacuum-valve and will return it to its original position, as shown inFig. 11, when the vacuum-valve is returned to its seat by spring 143.

The machine as shown embodies six canreceiving boxes. Consequently sixcans are soldered with each revolution of the table 29, making a totalcapacity of about fifteen thousand cans a day, a boy sitting at thetable successively taking the soldered cans out of the boxes with onehand and placing new cans therein with the other very rapidly.Immediately after each box has received an unsoldercd can its door isclosed by contact of the spring-arm 127 with the roller 129, (see Fig.2,) and the instant the door is completely closed by the pressureof'said roller upon said yielding arm the roller 140 of the combined airand vacuum valve registering wit-h said box rides upon the track 131 andsynchronously lifts the valve 139 from its seat and seats valve 149 uponits seat 148,in order that the entrance of air into the box by way ofthe aperture 147 and passage 146 of the valvestem 138 may be cut off andavacuum created in the box, and consequently in the can, the

' air being drawn out through pipe 34, shaftpassage 6, and the hollowbase of the machine, as hereinbefore explained. Immediately after thisvacuum is created the rotating'table carries the box beyond roller 129,but the door does not open, owing to the atmospheric pressure on theoutside. The roller 104 now comes in contact with and is depressed bythe cam 120, this action causing the solder thread B to advance one stepand the knife 108 to descend and cut a piece ofi the end of said thread,said piece dropping down into the flared passage of frame and descendingthrough its guide-tube 70 to a position upon the can A and over the holetherein. An instant after the solder is deposited over the hole in thecan the roller engages and is depressed by the cam 121, and the tube 70,by the pivotal action of frame 70, is swung laterally from beneath thetip of the copper or soldering-iron, the lower end of said tube 70 beingprovided at one side with a notch 70*, in order that the tube mayoperate as described without disturbing the piece of solder depositedupon the can. (See Fig. 7.) While the tube 7 0 is still held frombeneath the copper, the latter is forced downward by reason of theengagement of the roller 66 with the cam 122 and the contact of theelectrically-heated copper with the piece of solder fuses the latter andhermetically seals the hole in the can, in order that it will beabsolutely impossible for air to enter the latter that the contents maybe in perfect condition when the can is opened irrespective of thelength of time intervening between the sealing and opening operations.The length of the cam 122 is sufficient to insure the thorough andcomplete fusion of the solder with the can. At the moment the roller 66is about to clear or pass beyond the rear end of cam 122 and permitspring 59 to reelevate the copper the pin 53, projecting inwardly fromthe upper end of sleeve 48, strikes the depending arm 123 (see Fig. 13)and is given about a quarter-turn, this twist being given to the copperin imitation of the twist naturally given by the hand to asoldering-iron preliminary to lifting it from the solder in order thatits disconnection may be clean and positivethat is to say, in order thatthe copper may be lifted without withdrawing particles ofsolder with it,thus rendering the work unreliable. Immediately after the solderingironis given the twist referred to and rises, the roller 75 clears the endof the long cam 121 and permits spring 78 to swing tube 70 back to itsoriginal position and ready to deposit the next piece of soldier at apoint vertically below the copper. The rotation of the 'table duringthese operations continues and the vacuum is maintained after thesoldering operation is completed for about a half-revolution, when it isdestroyed by the valveroller 140 clearing the rear end of track 131 andpermitting the spring 143 to throw the vacuum-valve back to its originalposition (see Fig. 11) and permit air to enter the box by way of hole147, passage 146, chamber 133, and aperture 35 in the table. The instantthe vacuum is destroyed the spring 126 throws the door 125 open, and amoment after the box arrives opposite the boy, who removes the can withone hand and replaces it with a new one and immediately thereafter itsdoor is again closed and at the same instant the outwardly-projectingpin of sleeve 48 strikes arm 124 of standard 3 and twists the copperback to its original position. This is done in order that the formertwisting operation shall be counteracted and the wires 62 63straightened back to their original position, as will be understood. Allsucceeding operations are repetitions of the one described. As the boyplaces a can in each box with each revolution of the table, it isobvious that the number of cans sealed in each revolution is equal tothe number of boxes with which the table is provided.

From the above description itwill be apparent that Ihave produced anautomatic can-soldering machine which embodies the features of advantageenumerated in the statement of invention, and it is to be understood,ofcourse,that I reserve the right to make such changes in the detailconstruction, form, proportion, or organization as do not involve adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a can-soldering machine,a moving box to receive the can to besealed, a copper arranged with relation to the can-hole to be closed,means for depositing a piece of solder on and over the hole in the canafter the latter is placed in the box, and means for forcing the copperagainst the piece of solder as the box attains a predetermined relativeposition, substantially as described.

2. In a can-soldering machine,a moving box to receive the can to besealed, means to create a vacuum therein, a copper arranged within saidbox with relation to the can-hole to be closed, means for depositing apiece of copper on and over the hole in the can after the latter isplaced on the box, and means for forcing the copper against the piece ofsolder as the box attains a predetermined relative position,substantially as described.

3. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box havingavacuum-chamber, in which is located the can to be soldered, a coppervertically above the can-hole to be closed and provided with a stem, anda cam adapted to engage said stem and force the copper downward againstthe piece of solder upon and over the hole of said can, substantially asdescribed.

4. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in whichthe can to be soldered is located, a copper vertically above the hole inthe top of said can which is twisted alternately in opposite directions,a cam to cause the engagement of the copper with a piece of solder overthe hole of and upon said can, and means to break the connection betweenthe copper and the solder at the instant the former is performing one ofits twisting operations, substantially as described.

5. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in whichthe can to be soldered is located, a sectional shaft extendingvertically down into the box, and provided at its lower end with acopper, a slotted sleeve monnted'upon the adjacent ends of said shaft,and turned or twisted alternately in opposite directions, a pinprojecting from the lower section of the shaft into the slotted portionof said sleeve, a cam for periodically engaging the upper section of theshaft and thereby depressing the copper into engagement with a piece ofsolder upon and over the hole of the can, and a spring for relevatingsaid shaft and said copper, substantially as described.

6. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in whichthe can to be soldered is located, a sectional shaft extendingvertically down into the box, and provided at its lower end with acopper, the upper section of the shaft being non-rotatable and providedat its upper end with a roller, a slotted sleeve mounted upon theadjacent end of said shaft, and turned or twisted alternately inopposite directions, a pin projecting from the lower section of theshaft into the slotted port-ion of said sleeve, a cam for periodicallyengaging the shaft-roller and thereby depressing the copper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over the hole of the can, and aspring for relevating said shaft and said copper, substantially asdescribed.

7. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box, in whichthe can to be soldered is located, a vertically-slotted sleeve journaledin the upper part of the box and provided with inwardly and outwardlyprojecting pins, a sectional shaft having its meeting ends mou nt-ed insaid sleeve; the lower section being provided with a pin engaging theslotted portion of said sleeve, and the upper section with a roller, andadapted to slide but not rotate in said box, arms for alternateengagement with the pins of said sleeve to rock it in oppositedirections, a cam to depress the shaft-roller and thereby force thecopper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over a hole inthe can, and a spring to reelevate said copper at the termination of oneof the twisting orturning operations of said sleeve, substantially asdescribed.

8. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a shaft, a tablemounted thereon, a vacuum-box mounted upon the table and containing thecan to be soldered, an electrically-heated copper mounted in said boxand arranged vertically over the hole in said can, an insulating-plateupon said shaft, contact-rings mounted thereon, electric conductorsconnecting the same with the said copper, brushes engaging saidcontactrings, and circuit-wires leading therefrom, means to alternatelyturn or twist said copper in opposite directions, means to force saidcopper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over a hole insaid can, and means to relevate said copper as it is performing one ofits twisting operations, sub stantially as described.

9. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a suitable frame, avertical shaft .suitably driven, a table mounted upon said shaft, and astationary cam, in combination with a vacuum-box upon said table, inwhich the can to be soldered is located, a reciprocatory copper thereinvertically over the can-hole to be soldered, and having the upper end ofits stem or shaft adapted for engagement with and depression by saidcam, and means to reelevate said copper, substantially as described.

10. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in whichthe can to be soldered is located, a copper which is adaptedperiodically to descend and fuse a piece of solder to the can over thehole in the same, a valve-casing in communication with said box, and aspring to unseat the valve of said casing and thereby cause the vacuumto be destroyed, substantially as described.

11. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box in which thecan to be soldered is located, provided with a door held closed by avacuum created in the box, and with a copper periodically adjusted toe11- gage and fuse a piece of solder upon and over the hole in said can,a valve-casing communicating with the interior of said box, and a springto unseat the valve of said casing and permit the door of the box to beopened, substantially as described.

12. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box in which thecan to be soldered is located, provided with a door, which is adapted tobe closed at about the same instant that a vacuum is created in the box,and a spring to reopen the door at the moment the vacuum is destroyed,substantially as described.

13. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a suitable frameprovided with an arm, a rotating table thereon, a box mounted thereon,in which the can to be soldered is located, provided with a door to beclosed through the instrumentality of said arm at the moment a vacuum iscreated in the box, and means to throw open the door of said box at theinstant the vacuum is broken, substantially as described.

14. In an automatic can-soldering machine, a vacuum-box in which the canto be soldered is located, a valve-casing, a valve in said casingunseated during the existence of the vacuum in said box, and providedwith a passage in communication with the outside air, a second valveseated upon the first and closing its passage during the existence ofthe vacuum, and means to seat the first-named and unseat the last-namedvalve in order to destroy the vacuum, substantially as de scribed.

15. In an automatic can-soldering machine, a vacuum-box in which the canto be soldered is located, provided with a door held closed by thevacuum, a valve-casing in communication therewith, a valve therein whichis unseated during the existence of the vacuum, and is provided with apassage communicating with the outside air, a second valve seated uponthe first and closing the passage during the existence of the vacuum,and means to seat the first-named and unseat the lastnamed valve inorder to destroy the vacuum, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic can-solderin g machine, a vacuum-box in which thecan to be soldered is located, a valve-casing in communicationtherewith, a valve in said casing unseated during the existence of thevacuum and in communication with air,a second valve seated upon thefirst-named valve during the existence of the vacuum and cutting off theentrance of air through its passage, andaspring holding the first-namedvalve yieldingly upon its seat, substantially as described.

17. In an automatic can-soldering machine, avacu'um-box in which the canto be soldered is located, a valve-casing in communication therewith, avalve in said casing unseated during the existence of the vacuum and incommunication with air,a second valve seated upon the first-named valveduring the existence of the vacuum and cutting off the entrance of airthrough its passage, a spring holding the last-named valve yieldinglyupon its seat, and a spring to seat the first-named valve and therebyunseat the last-named valve and destroy the vacuum, substantially asdescribed.

18. In an automatic cansoldering machine, a rotating table, a stationarytrack below the same having its front end beveled, a vacuumbox upon saidtable, in which the can to be soldered is located, a valve-casing incommunication with said box and carriedby said table, a valve therein,provided with a rollercarrying stem, which rides upwardly upon and isunseated by the track at the instant the vacuum is created in the box;said valve and its seat being provided withapassage in communicationwith air, asecond valve suitably guided and provided with a spring which4 holds it yieldingly against the first-named valve to cut off theentrance of air to the box, and a spring for seating the first-named andthereby unseating thelast-named valve at the instant the roller of saidstem leaves said track, substantially as described.

19. In a can-soldering machine, a moving box adapted to receive the canto be sealed,

a tube having a dischargeopening, and adapted to deposit a piece ofsolder onand over the hole in the can to be closed, a copper, and meansto move said tube out of the way of the copper and the latter down uponthe piece of solder deposited upon the can by said tube, substantiallyas described.

20. In a can-soldering machine, a rotatabletable provided with anopening, a can-receiving box upon said table and communicating with saidopening, a copper vertically above solder deposited upon and over thecanhole to be sealed, a valve-casing secured to the under side of thetable and communicating with the opening of the latter, a valve in saidcasing, a second valve adapted to close an opening in the first-namedvalve, means to simultaneously unseat the first-named valve and seat thelast-named valve to permit a vacuum to be established in the box, meansto force the copper against solder upon and over the can-hole during theexistence of the vacuum, and means to destroy the vacuum by reseatingthe first-named valve, substantially as described.

21. In a can-soldering machine, a table provided with an opening, acan-receiving box upon thetable and in communication with said opening,a copper mounted in said box, a valve-casing communicating with saidopening and secured to said table, a'valve therein unseated during theexistence of a vacuum in said box, a second valve seated upon the firstand closing communication with the atmosphere, means for forcing thecopper against solder upon and over the' can-hole to be sealed, andmeans for destroying the vacuum after the soldering operation isfinished, by seating the first-named valve and unseating the last-namedvalve, substantially as described.

22. In a can-soldering machine, a box in which the can to be soldered islocated, a tube projecting therein, a thread of solder project-' ingthrough said tube, feed-Wheels frictionally engaging the same, areciprocatory knife at the inner end of said tube, means to operate saidfeed-Wheels and said knife, and a guide-tube to receive the severedpiece of solder and deposit it upon the can and over the hole therein,substantially as described.

23. In acan-soldering machine, a box in which the can to be soldered islocated, a tube projecting therein, a thread of solder projectingthrough said tube, feed-wheels frictionally engaging the same, areciprocatory knife at the inner end of said tube, means to operate saidfeed-Wheels and said knife, a guidetube to receive the severed piece ofsolder and d epositit upon the can and over the hole therein, means toswing said guide-tube to one side, a copper, and means to force the sameinto engagement with the piece of solder, substantially as described.

24. In an automatic can-solderin g machine, a box in which the can to besoldered is located, a rocking frame to receive the piece of solder anda tube to guide it upon the can and over the hole to be closed, a coppervertically above the hole in the can to be closed, and means to rocksaid frame and swing said arm to one side, means to force the copperinto engagement With said piece of solder, means to reelevate thecopper, and means to swing the tube back to its original position,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

ELMER F. DORSEY. Witnesses:

M. R. REMLEY, F. S. THRASHER.

